Archive for the ‘Brighton Events’ Category

We don’t wait till summer to cycle. Cycling breaks in Brighton are popular from early spring. And to prove just how much this town is into/onto two wheels, there’s the Brighton Bike Fest running from April 16-22.

So true, so bring your bike to Brighton!

And in true Brighton style, it’s not just about the bike: There will be DIY bike maintenence, a 12V bicycle sound-system building workshop, cheap vegan meals laid on and a celebration of bike films.

If you’re beginning to think cycling is all too commercial, you’ll be pleased with a sewing workshop set up to help people make their own high-viz vests and there’s the critical mass rides too – although we’re not sure that riding all over the road to prove a point helps drivers understand – if anything it makes things worse.

Footy fans should forget the train for a day and join in on the Bike Train up to Falmer stadium, perhaps decorate their bikes in blue and white – made a lot easier if they attend the ‘beautify your bike workshop’ running the night before.

And if it’s action you want, there’s also the ‘bike jousting’ on The Level, and a cycle treasure hunt also on the Saturday afternoon. A bike polo taster session as well as a session from mega-mechanic Dr Bike on the Sunday, more bike jousting and ‘Awkward Races’ help close the event, before some solar powered cinema by ‘One Way Theatre’.

So, if you fancy bringing a bike or two we can help you with a cheap Brighon B&B. Or, if you want to hire some over the weekend of the 21-22 April here’s a few links for you to try.

And if you are coming down the week before and end up cycling through Hove, watch out for a Naked Bike Ride Skinny Dip – and some very small cranks.

If you’re coming from abroad then don’t bother with London, instead stay in Brighton hotels for the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations and get massive discounts.

Not 'The' Queen, but she's on a horse with the flag so..

Pick any of the spring or summer weekends in Brighton and you’ll guarantee there’ll be queens visiting – it’s just that kind of place! Diamonds are optional, but when it’s the Queen were talking about, you can guarantee she’ll tip up with a rock or two.

Ok, cryptic blog over. It’s the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration this year and Brighton’s doing its bit to wish her well – we did get an extra bank holiday out of it, so it would be rude not to.

The Woodland Trust has said it will get 6 million trees planted in time for the celebrations, and a number of Diamond Woods. Well, 100 of these trees have already found their way into Tarner Park, off Sussex Street in Brighton.

The main celebrations will be lead from London, but if you are visiting Brighton looking for special hotel offers for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee you can expect an outpouring of street parties and bunting-fringed British fun.

St Barts in Brighton is having a festival concert on the night of May 26th – bit early, as the main party doesn’t get going till the following weekend.

On Sunday May 3rd there’s an initiative lead by The Eden Project called The Big Lunch, which encourages people to have lunch with their neighbours – sounds like the perfect incentive to help kick off a street party.

And just launched is a year-long exhibition at the Royal Pavilion. Charlotte: The Forgotten Princess documents the short life of Princess Charlotte, George IV’s only daughter, through her clothing and letters.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery is holding a special display ‘Fashion & The Flag’ throughout May. And as the Queen’s celebrations are in the same month as the Brighton Festival and The Brighton Fringe, weekends in Brighton promise to be more colourful and intriguing than ever.

Planning on visiting Brighton, you really should make the effort to get yourself along the coast to Hove. The two overlap somewhere and it’s pretty difficult to tell them apart.

Get this far and you're in Hove

That is until you get further into Hove, where you’ll notice fewer large stores and shops, and more residential buildings. Top Tip: Walk along the seafront until you get to an Italian café/ ice-cream shop called Morrocco’s. You’re in Hove.

Hove actually makes for an excellent visit, with all sorts of cultural events going on. This month is a great example. Here’s the main events going in Hove this month.

A regular on the calendar, this will be the 22nd Sussex Beer and Cider Festival. Look of for some top independent brewers, and you’ll need to be quick with tickets as this is one festival that you can guarantee will sell out! As well as beers and ciders, there are perries and country wines to be sampled. And there’s one bar set aside just for local ales. There’s also live entertainment planned and hot food!

My Favourite Toy (not an adult show) opens at the Hove Museum and Art Gallery on 10 March. You’ll be able to look at our fascination with toys and enjoy work created by children and young people in Brighton & Hove. Great one for the family enjoying a long weekend in Brighton – especially after you blagged your way free to get into the beer festival…

If you think you need meat to make a meal tasty, thing again. Get your primitive urges in check and check out the piles of food products all laid out around Hove Town Hall. As always there will be bits and bobs to try, and special offers to tempt the eye and wallet.

Then finish your weekend visiting Brighton with a long walk back to town along the seafront. It’s not far, and let’s face it tofu doesn’t weigh anything anyway!

With the weather ever improving there’s plenty of sports weekends in Sussex coming up. So instead of booking a Brighton B&B and just visiting Brighton for its shopping and clubbing, make it a base for more active weekends.

In Brighton we play all year round Photo: Flickr/garynight

Here’s a look ahead to what the county has on offer:

Brighton and Hove is hosting the annual Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Mile Event. So get the family involved, get a cheap weekend in Brighton booked and do your bit by the seaside. The run takes place on Sunday 24th March on Madeira Drive and you can register at sportrelief.com

In April there’ll be thousands of people putting in the miles in the Brighton Marathon. Places are still available – if you’ve a last minute fancy for 26 and a bit miles…

Cyclists not prepared to wait till the London to Brighton can get their wheels spinning through the night on the BHF Night Ride. It’s an over-nighter, so you can either book a Brighton B&B and make a weekend of it or go back on the train after a full English to finish. You could always cycle back – you may laugh, someone will do it!

Third week in June is the main London to Brighton bike ride. Expect there to be 27,000 other riders taking part. If you’ve not done it before, you really should.

And to get the summer of sport going there’s the annual Take Part Festival in Preston Park where you can try out all sorts of new sports.

That’s the main sports weekends in Sussex, but there are hundreds more activities you could do on a weekend in Brighton: Zorbing on the South Downs, sailing classes off the beach and at the Marina, and some wakeboarding and kitesurfing at Hove Lagoon.

And you’ll still get to go shopping in Brighton – I don’t care how fit you say you are, or how tight your cycling pants are. Once it’s all over you’re still wanting to get away from work, get a weekend break and get to the beach. And if you can’t fit in any sport, so what. Come down anyway. Brighton is just waking up from its winter hybernation and it’s definitly the place to be when the sun’s shining

And we’ve got two sets of beach volleyball courts. People were playing on them over the weekend – in February!

It’s that time of year again. Hundreds of runners are in their final stages of preparation for the Brighton Marathon and our hotel is taking part. Well, ok, we are not running. But we are doing our bit to help…

Simon Buckden - runner for Help for Heroes

If you find just watching the run tiring enough, spare a thought for Simon Buckden. He’s running 100 marathons in 100 weeks for Help for Heroes. That’s a marathon every week for 2 years!

Simon will be running the Brighton Marathon on April 15th. And we were so impressed with his effort we’ve sorted out a room for him. If you want to find out how the hell he’s still going and the story behind his epic charity effort, catch up with him on Facebook.

Despite only in its third year the Brighton Marathon is now a well established part of the city’s sporting calendar. And thanks to a route that passes through town and along the seafront, it should be easy to spot Simon and any other people brave* enough to give it a go.

This year it’s on Sunday April the 15th. Such is the events growing popularity it’s now in the top 12 running events in the UK. Also, the number of runners is up 20 per cent on last year to 18,000.

All the places were snapped up ages ago, although keen bean runners may still be able to get a charity place.

The route runs from Preston Park to the edge of the South Downs, Ovingdean, Rottingdean, Hove and Shoreham before ending on Madeira Drive – more than far enough.

Want to find out more about this and other deals we have on rooms in our Brighton B&B? Just connect with us on Facebook, give us a like, or follow us on Twitter.

And runners: you’re nuts! But as Brighton is several cucumbers short of its picnic, you’re actually no crazier than the people living here! And they’ll be out in force to cheer you on!

Planning on visiting Brighton UK this year, you’ll be looking for those traditional British attractions. And as much as we like to avoid stereotypes around these parts, there’s no doubting the south coast has its fair share of Britishness for visitors from Europe to enjoy.

A weekend in Brighton is just enough time to pass some of the finest English houses and architectural styles you can find. There was a surge in house building during the reign of George IV and these regency styles continued to be popular long after he died. Local firm Wilds & Busby built much of Kemp Town and Brunswick Town. And all around these are lesser streets copying the familiar regency style terraces and squares. Check out Brunswick Square and walk east from our Brighton B&B towards the marina – you’ll find many others.

Looking at spending Valentine’s Day in Brighton? It’s a pretty good move, as not only are there lots of special offers on accommodation, there are deals to be had on food, too.

And it’s a romantic place. Nothing better than spending the evening strolling along the seafront hand-in-hand – ok, we can think of something, but there’s always a good chance of that happening later anyway- you hope!

Valentine's Day in Brighton probably looks nothing like this Image:/Flickr Moffat

After a hotel room? Look out for Valentine’s Day hotel packages that offer sea views and discounts on two-night and three-night breaks, as it’s difficult to get anywhere for just one night – and let’s face it, it always looks dodgy rolling up at midnight trying to book in last minute to a B&B in Brighton for just one night.

Unpacking done, it’s time to get out into it all. And you needn’t venture far: Brighton pier takes on a special quality outside of the summer season so give it a wander. There’s fewer people, better views and more space to roam; jump on the ghost train together and you’ll soon have your partner cuddling up for comfort.

Key to a romantic evening is good food, and you’ll be overwhelmed with choice when it comes to fine dining on Valentine’s Day in Brighton.

From here, it’s often on to bars and clubs. But not always a late finish of the sort you’d usually have when you are single…

It’s also the night for pulling! If you are not partnered up or on a promise, you’re secretly out there looking for someone right – and if you can’t find them, sometimes it just has to be someone tonight

Book a little hotel in Brighton, get yourselves to the seaside and let love do the rest. It’s in the air, so they say. But it’s sea air, so bring a scarf in case your lover can’t keep you warm.

Well, we’ve been looking for alternatives to going out clubbing on New Year’s Eve in Brighton and we may have found something a little more hardcore than the dance floor: Swimming in Arundel Lido!

Arundel Lido: colder than a witch's xxx - or is it?

Now, while it’s not Brighton proper, it is only a short bus trip away and as one of the few remaining lidos in the country is worth a visit.

But swimming out doors on New Year’s Eve? Barking! So, if it’s all a little too hardcore, you could always come back next year – yes folks, it’s open on New Year’s Day as well!

New Year Hotel breaks in Brighton don’t have to be all-nighters, there’s always activities for families on hand. So take a trip to the only open-air Lido in West Sussex ( it has recently celebrated its 50th Birthday).

I’d love to promise you it had warmed up over those years, but it probably hasn’t! (Actually, the manager has assured would-be swimmers that the water temperature is up.) And there will be mulled wine and hot drinks to warm the cockles.

And it’s not free, either. But what is on New Year’s Eve in Brighton? And anyway it’s only £4 for adults, £2 for under-18s and free if you are under 5 or over 80.

You could always try nearer to home with the Saltdean Lido. You can take the bus there and enjoy the walk back along the under cliff walk to the Marina and back into town – perfect start to New Year.

And for the proper mental ones, you could meet up with the curious tribe of bearded creatures who swim everyday in the sea off Brighton. Beautiful people – little crazy – but beautiful!

Not everyone’s idea of a New Year’s Eve in Brighton is about clubbing. There are plenty of ways to celebrate into the without raving your arse off next to a wall of speakers…

Here’s a few suggestions for all the lovely people who are booking Christmas and New Year Hotel Breaks in Brighton over the Xmas and new year period. If you are on the coast looking to see in the new year with a not so loud bang, here’s a few ideas :

The Brighton Philharmonic

Yes, on the last day of the year the Brighton philharmonic will be treating audiences to a performance at the Brighton Dome. In Viennese style you’ll be treated to Wine, Women and Song by Strauss, and much more.

Yep, it’s till “ho, ho, ho” all the way up till 2012. Top acts, great food and excellent atmosphere at Komedia will have you chortling.

www.komedia.co.uk

Pubs in Brighton

Too many to mention, and they’ll all be celebrating in some way. We’ve our own favourites, but really it would be unfair to list them – we’d only be doing a disservice to all the other boozers and watering holes.

Here’s our latest pub of choice: it’s welcoming, homey but not fusty, and has great open mic sessions attracting all ages.

Restaurants in Brighton

We’ve only just covered a selection that are running Xmas lunches in Brighton, so check there for ideas. Other favourites for celebrations are Donatello for its atmosphere

http://www.donatello.co.uk/

Not everyone’s idea of a New Year’s Eve in Brighton is about clubbing. There are plenty of ways to celebrate into the without raving your arse off next to a wall of speakers…

New Year in Brighton and no club Image: Flickr/Alexis Parkin

Here’s a few suggestions for all the lovely people who are booking Christmas and New Year Hotel Breaks in Brighton over the Xmas and new year period. If you are on the coast looking to see in the new year with a not so loud bang, here’s a few ideas :

The Brighton Philharmonic

Yes, on the last day of the year the Brighton philharmonic will be treating audiences to a performance at the Brighton Dome. In Viennese style you’ll be treated to Wine, Women and Song by Strauss, and much more.

Krater Comedy Club New Year’s Eve Special

Yep, it’s till “ho, ho, ho” all the way up till 2012. Top acts, great food and excellent atmosphere at Komedia will have you chortling.

Pubs in Brighton

Too many to mention, and they’ll all be celebrating in some way. We’ve our own favourites, but really it would be unfair to list them – we’d only be doing a disservice to all the other boozers and watering holes.

If you haven’t noticed yet, Brighton’s got an eye. It’s not the most original design and hardly a new idea. But still, at night, with the pier behind, it’s a looker… and one of a few new things to do in Brighton this winter. And it’s not an eye, as in London Eye – but that’s because it’s a wheel…er?

Nice shot! -Image Flickr/Sarah Whitherby

And we’ve yet to see a good picture of it – I mean really good. So before every café in Brighton gets slapped with images of our new seafront attraction, let’s see if we can’t get a few of our own.

Only original shots please: lets have lots of documentary stuff, twisted angles, long-time exposures and demonstrations of the general creativity that we are known so well for.